Joe Rothwell: Rangers signal midfielder from Bournemouth on three-year deal on identical day Emmanuel Fernandez joins from Peterborough | Soccer Information

Rangers have signed Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell and Peterborough defender Emmanuel Fernandez.

Rothwell, 30, reunites with boss Russell Martin, who he performed beneath at Southampton throughout a mortgage spell in 2023/24.

Rothwell helped Saints to promotion from the Championship to the Premier League and did the identical final season with Leeds whereas on mortgage there.

The Manchester United academy graduate turned down the chance to go to LaLiga to finish his change to Ibrox and have become the membership’s third signing of the summer season, after Max Aarons, who joined on mortgage from Bournemouth, and Lyall Cameron from Dundee.

Nevertheless, the incomings quickly amounted to 4 as, afterward Wednesday 23-year-old defender Fernandez agreed a four-year deal to make the change from League One. It is understood Rangers and Peterborough agreed a deal of £3.5m with add-ons for the centre-back.

The centre-back stated he was “shocked” to get the decision from Rangers, having begun his profession at Brentford earlier than spells with Gillingham and Ramsgate.

Rothwell drawn by Martin connection

“I’m delighted to have the deal carried out and be right here,” Rothwell stated. “It’s good. The dimensions of the membership speaks for itself and as quickly because the curiosity was there it was a direct sure from me.

“With Russell coming in too it made that call just a little bit simpler as a result of working with him previously and I do know what kind of man he’s and the way he needs to do issues. That was a good greater pull for me, however the membership speaks for itself.”

Martin stated: “He’s a participant who we totally loved working with throughout my time at Southampton.

“His management, professionalism and high quality had been an enormous asset. He’s becoming a member of on the again of two promotions so helps deliver an actual profitable mentality to the group.

“We’re excited for Joe to hitch the squad, get to know his teammates, and assist make the group stronger.”

Fernandez shocked by Rangers name

Talking after signing for Rangers, Fernandez stated: “I’m honoured, it’s a big membership with a terrific fanbase and I feel I can kickstart my profession and have a very good journey right here.

“I used to be shocked once I heard about Rangers as a result of it’s such a giant membership nevertheless it was the place I needed to be.

“I have never performed at this degree, there shall be plenty of life modifications for me, however it’s one thing I wish to be a part of and I can not wait to get began.”

Martin stated concerning the centre-back: “Emmanuel is a younger defender with an enormous quantity of potential, and I’m excited to welcome him to the membership.

“He has a powerful bodily presence, is a commanding defender and I consider on this surroundings we might help him develop and supply him with the alternatives to take his sport to the subsequent degree.

“I am trying ahead to welcoming him into the group and attending to work.”

Rangers in talks to signal defender Djiga

Rangers are in talks to signal Wolves centre-back Nasser Djiga on mortgage.

The 22-year-old joined Wolves in February from Pink Star Belgrade for £10m and it’s understood Rangers wish to deliver the Burkina Faso worldwide in on a season-long deal. He has 5 years left on his contract at Molineux.

Rangers fixtures: Motherwell opener reside on Sky Sports activities

Rangers will kick off their 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season at Motherwell on Saturday August 2, reside on Sky Sports activities.

Will probably be new head coach Martin’s first league sport in cost since being appointed in the summertime, and can come simply days after their Champions League second-qualifying-round conflict in opposition to Panathinaikos.

His first Scottish Premiership sport at Ibrox will happen on Saturday August 9 in opposition to Steven Pressley’s Dundee.

The primary Outdated Agency conflict of the season takes place on Sunday August 31 reside on Sky Sports activities as Celtic journey to Ibrox, a fixture that may very well be key as Martin’s aspect look to shut the hole on their metropolis rivals this season.

The perimeters will meet once more at Celtic Park on Wednesday January 3 – reside on Sky Sports activities – with their last pre-split assembly at Ibrox on February 28.

Elsewhere, their first match in opposition to Derek McInnes’ Hearts comes on Saturday September 13 at Ibrox, whereas Rangers face the 2 newly-promoted golf equipment on consecutive weeks with a visit to Livingston on Saturday September 27, earlier than travelling to Falkirk on October 4.

Rangers head to Easter Street – the place they ended the final marketing campaign – to face Hibernian on Wednesday October 29, whereas the primary conflict in opposition to Aberdeen follows that on November 1 at Ibrox.

With no winter break this season, Rangers face six video games in December – nonetheless, there aren’t any video games on Boxing Day. As a substitute, Martin’s aspect head to Hearts on Saturday December 20 after which host Motherwell on Saturday December 27 at Ibrox.

Rangers’ last pre-split fixture takes place on April 11 at Falkirk, with the league marketing campaign concluding on the weekend of Could 16/17 and the play-off last bringing a curtain down on proceedings on Could 21 and 24.